Wireless transfer of data is becoming ever more important in mobile devices. We already have WiFi, 3G and 4G connections, but with the exception of WiFi, such data transfers eat into your data allowance every month. WiFi gets around that problem, but transfer speeds are typically limited based on the kit you are connecting too.

To allow for much faster, instant wireless transfers, a new close proximity wireless transfer technology was created in early 2008 called TransferJet. Using a dedicated wireless chip embedded in a device, it is possible to transfer data at a rate of 560Mbps maximum, but typically averaging 375Mbps.

With such a chip installed in a smartphone, tablet, or laptop it is possible to carry out large data transfers very quickly without the need of a cable. Transfers can also be limited by MAC address meaning you can use TransferJet safe in the knowledge only the devices you want to communicate with each other can. Best of all, transfer can be initiated just by tapping two TransferJet-compatible devices together.

So far this sounds like a great solution to backing up your mobile devices when returning home or a quick way of syncing any data. And now Toshiba has made the use of the wireless technology by manufacturers even easier by creating the smallest and highest sensitivity TransferJet chip available.

For the TC35420 chip Toshiba moved to using a 65nm process meaning a much smaller processor that measures just 4 x 4 x 0.5mm. Such a small size should make it easier to include the chip in future smartphone, tablet, or laptop designs. The TC35420 is also the highest sensitivity TransferJet chip available, achieving -78dBM when the standard only requires -71dBM.

While NFC and TransferJet may seem like they cater for the same short-range data transfer needs, they are in fact quite different and don’t interfere with each other. While NFC is geared towards quick and secure transfers of small amounts of data, TransferJet caters for the other end of the spectrum where large amounts of data transfer is required. You’d use NFC to securely make a payment transferring kilobytes of data. You’d use TransferJet to transfer hundreds of megabytes of data either as a backup or when purchasing a digital music album, for example.

Toshiba will start shipping the TC35420 chip sometime between April and June next year. One million chips are expected to be produced each month suggesting we should see TransferJet included more readily as a feature of new gadgets before the end of 2012.